A Fresh Look On Music and Pop Culture

Month: November 2016

Since I’m a huge fan of music, I thought I would pick my favorites for the AMAs. No scientific or logical method to this, just what I like. Sometimes I even contradict myself.

What I did notice is that many artists have multiple nominations, so if you favorite doesn’t win one category, don’t count them out.

I’m going to excuse myself from the country, latin and contemporary categories since I’m not knowledgeable by any stretch of the imagination.

Artist of the Year

Adele

Beyoncé

Justin Bieber

Drake

Selena Gomez

Ariana Grande

Rihanna

Twenty One Pilots

Carrie Underwood

The Weeknd

This choice was a given. Adele broke the record for most albums sold in a week, even with it not being on streaming services. She also did not disappoint with her follow up to 21, one of the biggest albums ever (no hyperbole here).

New Artist of the Year Un-Leashed By T-Mobile

Alessia Cara

The Chainsmokers

DNCE

Shawn Mendes

Zayn

This was a hard one to choose without thinking of personal preferences. I think “The Chainsmokers” have been pretty big, but Alessia Cara has been big since the release of her first single last summer, and honestly I just like her music more.

Collaboration of the Year

The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”

Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”

Fifth Harmony Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, “Work From Home”

Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”

Meghan Trainor Featuring John Legend, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”

I think out of all these songs, “One Dance” is the biggest song. My only hesitation is that it not really known for the other two people on the song, therefore somewhat canceling out the idea of a perceived collaboration. I feel like the problem could have been fixed with a music video.

Tour of the Year

Beyoncé

Madonna

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

I feel like this is a duh. When I think of live music in 2016, I immediately think of Beyonce dancing in the water to “Freedom.” This tour was so popular that her performances were the three biggest performances at this year award shows, BET, VMAs and CMAs.

Video of the Year

Justin Bieber, “Sorry”

Desiigner, “Panda”

Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”

Honestly, I didn’t know that “Panda” had a video. I even though I like the “Purpose” album, I’ve never seen the “Sorry” video. I did go out of my way to watch both “Work” videos and enjoyed them, so that would be my choice.

Favorite Male Artist — Pop/Rock

Justin Bieber

Drake

The Weeknd

Chart wise, I feel like they all performed well. Drake streaming numbers for “Views” are insane. And Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” was his sixth number one album. But The Weeknd’s crossover project and tour was amazing.

Favorite Female Artist — Pop/Rock

Adele

Selena Gomez

Rihanna

Her album sold over 3 million in one week, and only one of the songs was available for streaming. It would have been insane 20 years ago, its downright unbelievable in present day.

Favorite Duo or Group — Pop/Rock

The Chainsmokers

DNCE

Twenty One Pilots

The Chainsmokers’ “Closer” was number one 12 consecutive weeks and “Don’t Let Me Down” was also a big song, however, I enjoy Twenty One Pilots’ “Heathens” more, and find it impressive that a song from a soundtrack (“Suicide Squad”) did so well.

Favorite Album — Pop/Rock

Adele, 25

Justin Bieber, Purpose

Drake, Views

Stated it before, but no one can mess with Adele. NO ONE.

Favorite Song — Pop/Rock

Adele, “Hello”

Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”

Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”

Honestly, “One Dance” is just more fun of a song than these others.

Favorite Artist — Rap/Hip-Hop

Drake

Fetty Wap

Future

While I didn’t like “Views” I will still pick Drake as my favorite out of these.

Favorite Album — Rap/Hip-Hop

Drake, Views

Drake & Future, What A Time To Be Alive

Fetty Wap, Fetty Wap

I honestly don’t think that any of these albums are strong, but I liked a lot of Fetty Wap singles and I do think he should get some recognition this year.

Favorite Song — Rap/Hip-Hop

Desiigner, “Panda”

Drake, “Hotline Bling”

Fetty Wap, “679”

I actually like the “Father Stretch My Arms Pt. 2” more than “Panda.” “679” is more fun than “Hotline Bling,” which to me is kind of a depressing song.

Favorite Male Artist — Soul/R&B

Chris Brown

Bryson Tiller

The Weeknd

All of the above. What kind of category is this they are all great! I can’t break my loyalty to any of them.

Favorite Female Artist — Soul/R&B

Beyoncé

Janet Jackson

Rihanna

I really should say Beyonce, I know. I like “Lemonade” a lot. But “Anti” has really grown on me.

Favorite Album — Soul/R&B

Beyoncé, Lemonade

Rihanna, Anti

Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L

I may be contradicting myself here, but I like story albums, and “Lemonade” told more of a story then these two. However, I will so that I listen to the latter two more often.

Favorite Song — Soul/R&B

Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”

Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”

Bryson Tiller, “Don’t”

My favorite part is the nod to the Mariah Carey song “Shake It Off.” I feel like this was a great debut single, and I love how it was a Soundcloud song first.

Favorite Artist — Alternative Rock

Coldplay

Twenty One Pilots

X Ambassadors

Again, I like how this band has come up this year.

Favorite Artist — Adult Contemporary

Adele

Rachel Platten

Meghan Trainor

A bit confused why Meghan Trainor is considered “Adult Contemporary” but okay. Still goes to Adele.

Favorite Artist — Electronic Dance Music

The Chainsmokers

Calvin Harris

Major Lazer

When I think of Electronic Dance, I do think of Calvin Harris, but I would also have included Flume and Snakehips.

Top Soundtrack

Purple Rain

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Suicide Squad: The Album

Aww. R.I.P Prince. “Purple Rain” is a classic soundtrack and should definitely win. My favorite song of the soundtrack is “The Beautiful Ones.”

The album includes features from Future, Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar and for the second album in a row, Lana Del Rey. I think the number of features is good. Not too heavy handed, but enough to give the album some texture. I’m curious if The Weeknd will rap more on his song with Kendrick. Previously, when he featured on a rap song, he follows that flow, a la his feature with Future on “Low Life.” I also enjoy that type of flow, so I’m looking forward to that.

I like the two songs that he released more than “Starboy” and the other previously released track “False Alarm.”

“I Feel It Coming” is the Michael Jackson feeling that to me The Weeknd missed on his previous “Michael Jackson lite” tracks. I enjoy the ethereal Michael Jackson, not the weird rock phase. I automatically started grooving to this song, which says a lot from a girl who doesn’t dance and has no rhythm, that is saying a lot. It also reminded me of the work that Daft Punk and Pharrell has done together on “GIRL.”

“Party Monster” is my jam and got me really excited for an album that I wasn’t initially sure about. It is definitely a nod back to his party lifestyle that he is known for, but also progressive in sound, giving a nod to the rock sound he’s been leaning toward.

Overall, I’m excited for Nov. 25 and hoping that one of his pop up shops comes to a city near me.

Chance The Rapper shows the origin pictures for the covers of his first mixtape “10 Day” and the second mixtape “Acid Rain.” This was after Twitter user @jlyesraps tweeted Chance with this photo and said that the “Acid Rap” cover is missing the “snatchless necklace,” a line from “Acid Rain.” He then posted pictures from a photo shoot that were then used for the “10 Day” cover.

I wonder if they was a reference picture for the “Coloring Book” cover?

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Chance The Rapper announced a special event to spur voting. On November 7th, the day before the election Chance The Rapper and his non-profit, Social Works will be hosting the event, with performances by Twin Peaks, Taylor Bennet, Malcolm London and other guests at the Virgin hotel in Chicago. No more information have been given, but this post will be more updated if more information is shared.

Chance has been registering voters during his tour this year, so this seems like a great addition to his movement. Anyone else notice the “Yeezy 2020” sign?

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Ahead of the release of “RTJ3” El-P and Killer Mike will be going on tour to support the album. Although no release date has been set, the duo recently released the single “Talk To Me.” Listen to the song and check out the tour dates below.

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The Weeknd announced his new world tour “Legend of The Fall” in support of his new album “Starboy” set to be released Nov. 25. The tour starts in Europe in February 2017 and also make stops in South America. It comes to North America in April. The poster says special surprised guests will be announced, but the Europe tour will include Bryson Tiller and Lil Uzi Vert.

The title of the tour comes from a line from “Starboy.” The Weeknd has a bit of an infatuation with Fall. He previously went on tours called “The Fall Tour” and”King of The Fall ” and tour and has a song of the same title. He also states “I come alive in the fall time” in the on “Starboy.”

Presale information:

Citi card members have presale access start Nov. 1.

The Weeknd presale tickets start Nov. 1. With purchase of different packets, you can get a presale code. You can purchase the package here.

Live Nation, Facebook, Live Nation app and local venues presales start Nov. 2.

I’m way too excited for this tour. I have seen The Weeknd live twice and the show is amazing. Curious how much of his older stuff he will perform. Check out tour dates below. Tickets go on sale Nov. 4.